AUSTRALIANS' DASH.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 77, 30 March 1916, Page 2

AUSTRALIANS' DASH.

TRIBUTE BY JOFFKE

FRANCE GRATEFUL

GOURAUD AND HIS MOTHER,

LONDON, March 20

"The French people are beginning to be greatly interested in the Australians. Their reputation lias been made by word of mouth from the French who have fought at Galljpoli, says Lord Northcliffe, who has been on a visit to France.

<< President Poincairc and General Joffi'e both referred warmly to Australia, and President Poincairc specially laid stress on Great Britain's great effort,, and the immense improvement in the British Army since the war began, both in organisation and fighting qualities.

"Speaking of the Australians, President Poincaire mentioned in grateful terms the large sum of money which France had received from Australia, and said that the Australians understood the Germans well, and had dealt with them promptly from the first. "The President, is cheerful and confident about the war.

"General .Toffre bears the strain of his.colossal responsibility without any sign of fatigue. He commences work at 6 a.m., lunches at 11 a.m., dines at 6.30 p.m., and retires at 8..30 p.m. He sometimes motors 200 miles a day. He is calm and confident as to the issue. He quito understands the value of Australian dash and initiative.

"Many Australians will remember General Gpuraud, who was twice wounded in Gallipoli, Av-here he- lost his right arm. He is one of the youngest officers of the war, and is not yet 48. When he returned to Paris from the Dardanelles he tried to hide his loss from his mother, but when she embraced she discovered that his right arm '.iad' gone, and she burst into tears. The general put his remaining arm around her and said, 'Why do you cry? Aren't you glad to see me?' And he kissed her tears away.

"I was delighted with my visit to General Gouraud's headquarters,," adds Lord Northcliffe. "He has practically all fresh officers, who are young men, and many of whom have been wounded in the war.

"The spleidid courage of the French nation can only be understood by those who have visited the scores of once popular towns that are now Jn ruins. The people who fled into the provinces are totally cut off from communication with the rest of France. A French artilleryman may possibly be firing upon Germans in his own native .village, where, perhaps, are also his own wife and children.

"We British nations are not troubled by the horrible fact that the Germans are in our homes, and we cannot therefore understand the intensity with which -every Frenchman, woman, and child, and every Belgian is fighting in this war. As President Poincaire said to me; 'lt is life or death, firstly France, then for the Britis-h Empire, and lastly for civilisation of the world.'

"The additions to the French front wiD impart a fresh atmosphere of vitality to the splendid efforts which are being made by the British and the Canadians.' ?